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Summary

Building where ore bearing rock was broken up before it was passed to the grinder on the south side of the engine house, for the second stage of the process.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002667: Gawton arsenic mine and flue

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CRUSHING MILL (XIX - 1895 AD to 1895 AD)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

Map object based on this Source.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 40 (Report - Assessment). SDV344672.

This building was constructed during 1895, and is located to the south of the count house. The ore bearing rock would have been brought up from Kings Shaft via the incline, to be passed through the stone breaker, and then via an overhead conveyor to the first floor of the crusher on the south side of the engine house. The building has intact walls, but the sides of a curving wall of uncertain function are beginning to fall inwards. Due to dense vegetation and rubble, it is difficult to make out the site plan. Other details: Figure 36, site 31.

Buck, C., 2006, Gawton Mine, Devon: Impact Assessment Report, 14-15 (Report - Assessment). SDV348353.

The Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project has proposed that a programme of building conservation and public safety works be undertaken to a number of sites within Gawton Quay and Mine. The impact of the proposed scheme on the northern (angled) wall of the ore crusher base is to fence along the front of the wall, which appears to be leaching out arsenic oxides and copper salts through the bedding mortar lining the bricks, indicating there may still be deposits of ore within the structure. However, any trees growing on the brick wall and de-stabilising it will be removed. Other details: Figure 4, site 31; photograph, figure 7.

Ordnance Survey, 2010, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV344030.

Map object based on this Source.

Clive Meaton, 2023, Gawton Mine, Devon- Costed and Prioritised Proposals for Capital Works for the Conservation and Management of Gawton Mine Scheduled Monument (Redacted Costs Version), 79-80, Photographs 24 and 25 (Report - Survey). SDV366131.

The Ore Crusher/Platform was constructed in 1895 and is illustrated on Ordnance Survey maps from 1904 onwards. Ore for crushing would have been transported here from Kings Shaft (Site No. 58) via the Incline Tramway (Site No. 41). It was also known as the ‘stonebreaker’. In 2006 intact walls were recorded, with a curving wall of uncertain function found to be falling inwards. Overgrown remains. Vegetation clearance and the structure re-assessed for stability were recommended.
The footprint of the platform was retained by a brick and masonry wall. The area was overgrown, and only low lying, masonry structures were found to survive. Some iron pins were noted projecting from the ground surface, presumably referencing the former position of the ‘stonebreakers’.The stretch of curving wall recorded in 2006 was also identified, still appearing to fall inwards, but without having done so. The Crusher Platform was assessed to be in medium condition. Given the poor preservation of the Ore Crusher/Platform, it is considered to be of low significance relative to other features and structures within the Site. The same recommendations as provided in 2006 of vegetation management and assessment. Other details: Site No. 31.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4746 - Archaeological Assessment of Gawton Mine, Devon
• EDV4747 - Field Survey of Gawton Mine

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